Thanks to a grant in 2015-2016 from the Miami Shores Community Alliance at the Miami Foundation we were able to begin the process of transforming our Preschool’s outdoor play space into an OLE (Outdoor Learning Environment). It began with the installation of a butterfly garden. As anticipated, the garden has added beauty to the playground as well as created a place for students to witness caterpillars munching away on the leaves as they prepare for their metamorphosis into a butterfly. 

In recent months, with the funds from a second grant in 2016-2017 from the same organization, we have begun adding features to the OLE to encourage students’ exploration and appreciation for the beauty and wonders of nature. Benches, books, an art easel and hand held discovery tools were among the items. Eagle Scout Armando Espinosa and his troop handcrafted the beautiful wooden benches.

A remarkable addition to the beautification of the OLE is a mural on the west wall. Artists Miki Foged and Lizbeth Viento have worked tirelessly to bring Erika Batey’s vision to life. The gathering of the church, school and community on Sunday at 11AM to join for worship and completion of the mural will be an exciting event not to be missed. www.mspcs.net/mural

To read my blog about the initial phase of our Outdoor Learning Environment click here.